TALON KARRDE and SHADA D'UKAL

Talon Karrde is the most connected information broker in the galaxy. He has eyes and ears in all corners of social and political life, and for a price he is willing to discover and share anything with anyone. During the first Thrawn Crisis, Karrde began by playing both sides of the fence, but ultimately sided with the New Republic, to the point of organizing and leading a Smuggler's Alliance against the Empire.

Shada D'ukal comes from the blighted world of Mystraal, where she was a member of the elite Mystraal Shadow Guard. For years Shada believed she was doing patriotic service in this role, but upon learning of a betrayal perpetrated by the elders of her race decades earlier, she left the Shadow Guard, ultimately becoming Talon's personal bodyguard and second in command. She is a fearsome martial artist, and loyal to her principles above all else.

"Why can't you Jedi just do things the simple way?" - Kyle Katarn